The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
Read our disclaimer for details.

The control group will receive 8 recreational therapy sessions over a 2-week (14 day) period, to be scheduled in a flexible manner as long as all 8 sessions are completed within the 2 week period, and no more than 2 sessions are completed on any one day.

Other: Recreational therapy activities

Recreational therapy sessions will include leisure activities such as playing cards and/or doing arts and crafts.

Experimental: 2

Patients randomized to Wii technology will receive an intensive program consisting of 8 Wii gaming sessions, 60 minutes each, over a 2-week (14 day) period. These 8 sessions can be scheduled in a flexible manner as long as all 8 sessions are completed within the 2 week period, and no more than 2 sessions are completed on any one day.

Other: Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii gaming system, released in 2005, introduced a new style of virtual reality by using a wireless controller that interacts with the player through a motion detection system. Nintendo Wii involves the incorporation of 3-dimensional accelerometer technology that can respond to changes in direction, speed, and acceleration, down to the most delicate movements. Specifically, the controllers use embedded acceleration sensors to enable players' wrist, arm, and hand movements to interact with the games. Tilt measurements allow users to move characters, while the accurate three-axis acceleration sensing easily transforms the controller into a virtual sword, gearshift, or musical instrument

Detailed Description:

A pilot, randomized (1:1) controlled trial to compare the safety and feasibility of Nintendo Wii gaming versus other recreational therapy activities (playing cards) in post-stroke patients. All patients will continue to receive all other standard medical and physiotherapy treatments while in the study.

Eligibility

Information from the National Library of Medicine

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patient has provided written informed consent prior to entry into the study

In-patient at one of the two study institutions at the time of randomization

Males or females, aged over 18 and younger than 85

Evidence of stroke confirmed by CT head (ischemic or hemorrhagic)

Time: Onset of symptoms within 6 months prior to randomization

Measurable Chedoke-McMaster scale stage of =>4 on the "arm" item (10)

Functional independence prior to present stroke (baseline mRS = 0-1)

Patient is alert, medically stable according to the treating physician and able to follow simple verbal commands

Exclusion Criteria:

Acute stroke onset more than 6 months ago

Patient is unable to follow verbal commands or has global aphasia

Severe illness with life expectancy less than 3 months (cancer, endocarditis, metastasis with an occult primary malignancy, coagulopathy).

Uncontrolled hypertension according to the treating physician

Unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction (within the last 3 months), current NY Heart Association Class III (marked limitation of physical activity; although patients are comfortable at rest, less-than-ordinary activity leads to fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations, or angina3) or IV (symptomatic at rest; symptoms of CHF are present at rest; discomfort increases with any physical activity) or symptomatic ventricular tachyarrhythmias, as per medical history (a baseline ECG will not be required.)

Patient is unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol or can not/will not cooperate fully with the investigator or study personnel.

Any condition(s) that, in the Investigator's opinion, would a) warrant exclusion from the study (i.e., participation in the study is not in the best interest of the patient) or b) prevent the patient from completing the study.

Any medical condition that might confound the interpretation of results or put the patient at risk (amputation of one extremity).

Contacts and Locations

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00692523